In the world of Pokémon many different possibilities exist. Pokémon of the same name can have different natures, abilities, and even colors. Those with different colors are known as “shiny” and are known to be very rare. In this new generation of Pokémon the odds for finding shiny Pokemon are more in favor of the fans than they ever have been; shiny Pokémon have never been easier to locate. However, finding shiny Pokémon can still be take a long time. This article will go over some methods and tricks that will help you find shiny Pokémon in Pokemon X and Pokemon Y.

Masuda Method

Those that played Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl may be familiar with the theory named after one of the producers of Game Freak, Junichi Masuda. This method first appeared in the 4^th generation of Pokemon but has stayed in the series since. The idea comes from breeding Pokémon that come from different regions. If you have traded or Wonder Traded then you may have received a Pokemon caught by someone in a different location such as Spain or Germany. If you do have a Pokemon from a different region the name of the region will appear at the very top above the Dex #.

In the 4^th generation of Pokémon the Masuda method improved chances of obtaining a shiny Pokemon by about 5 times. In the 5^th generation of Pokemon, Pokemon Black and Pokémon White, this number was bumped slightly to about 6 times. The exact increase for this new generation is difficult to pinpoint but it seems to once again yield results. Even with the Masuda method odds getting the shiny Pokemon of your dreams is still a daunting task, fortunately there are a few other methods to consider.

Poké Radar

Generation 5 didn’t have it, but it is back! The Poké Radar! It was also introduced in 4^th gen, (Diamond and Pearl). After beating the Elite Four you can return to see Professor Sycamore’s lab to obtain this item. It works the way it did in the past but if you are unfamiliar allow me to explain.

In order to make use of the Poké Radar you need to find yourself a big field of tall grass. Don’t forget to bring your preferred repel and Poké Balls. Once you find a field you think is fitting, use your repel and then the Poké Radar. You have to walk 50 steps before being allowed to use the Poké Radar, this also must be done in between uses. Bringing repels will ensure you don’t get into random encounters, you want to encounter one specific Pokémon again and again until it is shiny.

The Poké Radar will make specific pieces of grass shake. There are varying speeds to the shaking, those that are rigorously shaking may contain a shiny. If you find a piece of grass that itself is shiny then you’ve found a shiny, congratulations! Encountering the same Pokemon over and over creates a chain and increases the chances of encountering a shiny Pokémon. When making chains it is best to run from the Pokémon when it isn’t shiny. If Poke Radar chaining is something you are interested in there are many more details that play a part in the equation of finding shiny Pokemon. A very nicely illustrated article that explains these rules can be found at the end of the article, it will be the first source. Simply click on it to see more.

Chain Fishing

The last method of the article works for finding shiny Pokémon in the water. This method follows the same principle as the last, create a chain, but it is a bit more simple here. First thing you need to do is catch a Pokemon with the ability Suction Cups. Inkay and Octillery both have this ability. This ability guarantees that you will get a nibble when you throw your fishing rode into the water. If you try this method without that ability and throw your rod into the water without catching anything your chain is broken. This method seems to work best when not moving and fishing in the same spot continually. This may take a long time, or a short time, luck plays a big factor in finding shiny Pokémon. Keep in mind that the rod you are using will only play a role in determining which Pokemon you will encounter.

Below is a video demonstrating this chain fishing trick. Patience is very important when searching for shiny Pokémon but some of them are so amazing, that they are worth it. Some colors give Pokemon an entirely different feel, nothing says running hot like a blue Ponyta.  If you intend to try any of these I wish you good luck and encourage you to comment if you have any luck or tips. Hopefully this article will help you in your journey through Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Happy shiny searching!

By Garrett Jutte

Kotaku

Geek

U.S. Gamer